Children’s Success as Readers and Writers: by Mills,
Clyde
In the article by Mills Clyde, it showed the point
of view of two teachers and one student. It was interesting to see how each
teacher view the student and the different strategies they used. Ms. Jones
believed in a specific order of how to teacher reading to students with
letters, sounds, isolations, and controlled vocabularies. While the other
teacher believed it was important to ensure meaning with reading clues and
context. While neither teacher is wrong,
it is very interesting on their various viewpoints. With that said having the
different view points can be great when you are able to work cohesively
together and see what techniques from both ends work well with that individual
student. I feel that with the level of students in my classroom, having moderately
intellectually disabled students and having several adults in the room there
are often a variety of viewpoints on each child. This can be work in the
students favor to see what works well for each student. Each student learns
differently just like each teacher teaches differently. It is important to
realize that as a teacher you need to be able to adjust to your students’ needs
and not expect them to adjust to your techniques.
I loved when you said, "It is important to realize that as a teacher you need to be able to adjust to your students’ needs and not expect them to adjust to your techniques." I couldn't agree more! If the way we are teaching isn't working for a student, it is our job to figure out how they do learn! Too often we "present" material through one modality and expect the kids to adjust to it. It is a one size fits all mentality. I can imagine that in your classroom especially, there are many students who do not fit the mold of a "typical" student in the way that they learn. I love that you recognize they all cannot be taught the exact same way and that you collaborate with the professionals in your room to meet their needs!
ReplyDeleteYears to year we have a new group of students, and each students needs vary from where they struggle. We try to implement new techniques, but not all of them will work for each student. In special education we are constantly adjusting new ways of teaching, just so that our students can understand. I love what you said about adjusting to THEIR NEEDS!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that as teachers it is important for us to be able to adjust our instructional strategies and structures to meet our students' needs. This is why formative assessment that works that we can use to let us know what our students' needs, strengths, and interests are can help us guide our instruction. Sincerely, Dawn
ReplyDelete